Douglas Byrd High – Orchestra-Advanced Honors

Apr 2026 · 2nd Semester

Prerequisite: Successful completion of proficient level orchestra course and Placement Audition         Credit: 1 unit, Weight: +.5 Orchestra-Advanced is an advanced honors level performing ensemble for highly skilled and motivated high school orchestra students focusing on music literature at levels V-VI. This course promotes advanced technical and interpretive skill, the ability to perform in various meters, keys, unusual meters, complex rhythms, and subtle dynamic requirements. This course is aligned to the Standard Course of Study music curriculum at the advanced level and provides instruction for advanced proficiencies in performance, conducting, listening, appreciation, history, analyzing, composing, the use of current technology, and research. Students create and maintain portfolios that contain a combination of written, audio, or visual examples of their work for evaluation. Focuses include orchestral techniques, instrumental pedagogy, music theory, music history, improvisation, composition, analysis and evaluation of musical experiences and ensemble skills. Students develop personal aesthetic criteria for analysis and evaluation. Participation in daytime, evening and weekend rehearsals, concerts and events is required. Students may enroll in the same arts education course for multiple semesters or until approved for the next level by the instructor. ART APPRECIATION (Visual Arts Specialization- Beginning)